, 1887-06-25

Abandonment OF the sugar CulGIvdClOn uaQ ale
ready commenced, but the figures available
did not bear this out. The areas returned
asein cane acultiyation during the past three
l6,5OOa acres; and for 1886, 16,547 acres.
There was, therefore, NO evidence yet that
any abandonment had commenced.
He would next remark on the term "ruln-
Gus" as applied to the sugar industry, that it
must of course be taken to mean not that
some estates were losing, but that the indus
try In the island all over, or taken as o
whole, was ruinous. In order TO judge OF
this it would be requisite to know the
returns and the expenses. Some time ago
he had endeayoured to ascertain d
were the total expenses Of cane cultl-
vation and had come to the conclusion
that for all land actually in cane and fallow
laid out for sugar cultivation, the average
would be about $40 per acre. This would
give $500, 600 for the whole island. But ne
thought this estimate rather high; experience
had shown that the cost must be lower. For
in 1885, there was a crop OF 11,7OO hhds''
which at the prices then prevailing might be
valued ct $50 per hid, say S427,oOO,
adding to which the value of rum and
molasses, estimated at SAG, 600, we would
get $473, 900 as the total revenue from
the crop. Now in that year it was said
that most of the estates had paid their
expenses, and even given q trite over;
hence it was plain that the expenses could
not have been $500 900, but something less,
say $3.50, 900, in fact it must be still less.
Last year the crop had reached l4,!77
hhds., which at an average of 1856 would give
1882, 600, to which $4,000 must be added
for rum and molasses, giving in all a revenue
of $3.50 1000. Therefore, there was no loss
last year, and the sugar industry could not be
described as ruinous. Thisyear prices were low
err than last, but expenses would certainly NOT
be higher (say S45O,OOO. Present prices gave
about &32 per hid, or, adding rum and mo-
lasses, say $35 per hid. There should De a
crop of at least $4,000 hhds.; indeed there
could be no question it would be hlgner, say
between I4,OOO and $4,000 hhds. Hence
there would be again no loss this year, on tne
whole, and the industry was not "rulnous.
He would next speak OF the reference con-
tanned in the resolution to the very exacS
accounts of the State Treasury's estates.
he was a little surprised to see that refer
ence, as he considered those accounts to be OF
a private character and like all private ac-
counts, not to be referred to without permls-
sion. He would reserve his right IN that re"
gard. At the same time he would state that
these accounts were kept with such com,
pleteness that it was possible to deduct
such expenses which private owners
would not make, for instance as had
arisen from experiments made to ascer'
tain how Q the cultivation could be inn
proved, and il was then found that the or
adinary expenses were not greater than
could be. covered by the production. he
would admit that the sugar cultivation gave
very little profit, that it did not pay well; but
this was well known TO be the case at present
with nearly all Other kinds Of cultivation all the
world oyes. On the other handit was wellknown
several governments had taken steps to pro.
tect their sugar growers, and he could
therefore understand if planters OF st. Crolx
also looked to the Danish Government Tor
some protective measure. But he considered
it his duty to warn the planters not to ex-
pect too much in that respect, for il could
not be expected, that the Home Govern.
mens would do anything not in accord
ance with sound economical principles.
1t would not OF course consent to bur-
den The Danish taxpayers in order to
support the sugar industry OF st. Croix. No IN.
dnstry could long be supported by artificial
means, and the sugar industry, like every
other, must stand or fail on It's own merits.
The most efficient means which could be ta-
ken TO support it were those which the plan
ters themselves could take, by improving
their cultivation. Those who were connected
with the factory had q great advantage in
80 ~ ou1,re for thair fields and the aY.